Mexican counter puncher Juan Manuel Marquez has started training for his next fight after over two years of inactivity due to his recurring knee injury but he has yet to name his opponent at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds.
Marquez (56-7-1, 40 KOs) is coming off a unanimous decision win over Mike Alvarado in May 2014 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. While Marquez can retire comfortably with his accumulated earnings, he is expected to make the most of his farewell fight by picking an opponent who can bring more money to the fight Early this year Marquez and his handlers had lengthy fight contract negotiation with Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico but the talks fell apart due to weight issues. Marquez wanted to have the fight at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds but Cotto, who has been fighting as junior middleweight could only go down as low as 150 pounds. Read more A Marquez-Cotto fight will definitely sell because they both have a huge fan base; but the issue will continue to persist assuming they will return to the negotiating table after the parties failed to agree on the issue. For sure Cotto won’t go down abruptly to the welterweight limit of 147 pounds after having fought for quite some time as a middleweight. Going down to 147 or even 150 with a hydration limit to fight night as Marquez wanted would be difficult to do for Cotto as he walks at more than 160 pound off the ring. But Cotto’s trainer Freddie Roach has hinted he may accede to Marquez’s demand. But Roach’s comment was made early this year and he may have a different opinion now. ?I don?t know if it will go anywhere but it might. That would probably be at 147lbs, I think we can still make that weight. I don?t think Miguel will go any lower than that. 147 to 150lbs would be good,? Roach told Boxing News in January this year. Cotto has been comfortable in the middleweight limit and the most that he would likely do is go down to face Marquez at 153 catch weight. Best option for Marquez is to consider a fifth fight with Manny Pacquiao at 147. For sure there will be no issue on weight as they’re both active in the same division. Aside from doing away with lengthy and tedious negotiations being under contract with same promoter Bob Arum, Marquez will be assured of more share from pay-per-view (PPV) revenue as Pacquiao is a bigger draw on PPV than Cotto. While Marquez has previously rejected a fifth fight against Pacquiao, he hinted that he may consider it if the price is right.
